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Virgin Orbit

US
commercialFounded 2017
Long Beach, California, United States
virginorbit.com
Admin Edit

All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

Virgin Orbit, the smallsat launcher that was part of the Virgin Group, shuttered in 2023 after a launch failure and fundraising troubles.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitTechnical ProductMar 5, 2026Latest News

Virgin Orbit’s 2022 horizontal launch licence included an indemnity cap of $250 million.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitTechnical ProductFeb 20, 2026The UK Amends Launch Liability Rules as RFA Prepares for Inaugural Flight

The indemnity caps in the Virgin Orbit, Skyrora, and Rocket Factory Augsburg licences were imposed as a matter of policy rather than as a statutory requirement prior to the 2025 Act.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitTechnical ProductFeb 20, 2026The UK Amends Launch Liability Rules as RFA Prepares for Inaugural Flight

Rocket Factory Augsburg is likely to be the next operator to attempt a launch from UK soil since Virgin Orbit’s failed flight in January 2023.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitTechnical ProductFeb 20, 2026The UK Amends Launch Liability Rules as RFA Prepares for Inaugural Flight

Virgin Orbit's historic first mission from Cornwall failed to reach orbit about three years ago, leading Virgin Orbit to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and subsequently cease operations.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitTechnical ProductFeb 12, 2026Latest News

Spaceport Cornwall hosted the first orbital launch attempt from U.K. soil in January 2023, conducted by Virgin Orbit, which failed to reach orbit.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralDec 5, 2024Orbex halts work on own spaceport, shifts launches to SaxaVord

Rocket Lab is producing Neutron engines at a former Virgin Orbit facility in Long Beach, California that Rocket Lab acquired after Virgin Orbit’s bankruptcy.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitOrg RelationshipNov 4, 2024Rocket Lab confirms plan to bid for Pentagon launch contracts with new medium rocket

Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy three months after its unsuccessful launch in January 2023.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralSep 16, 2024Still waiting for liftoff in the UK

Virgin Orbit successfully navigated launch regulations in the UK for its mission.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralSep 16, 2024Still waiting for liftoff in the UK

Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne mission in January 2023 failed to reach orbit.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralSep 16, 2024Still waiting for liftoff in the UK

In January 2023, Virgin Orbit conducted a mission of its LauncherOne air-launch system from Spaceport Cornwall.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralSep 16, 2024Still waiting for liftoff in the UK

Virgin Orbit conducted an ill-fated debut launch from southwest England in 2023 that contributed to the collapse of its U.S.-based horizontal launch business.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitTechnical ProductJul 23, 2024European Space Agency to expand UK presence

Stratolaunch is modifying a Boeing 747 acquired in Virgin Orbit’s bankruptcy auction to serve as a second air-launch platform.

Mentioned as: virgin orbitTechnical ProductMar 9, 2024Stratolaunch performs first powered Talon flight

Spaceport Cornwall provided the runway for Virgin Orbit’s failed launch from the United Kingdom in January 2023.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralMar 7, 2024Slingshot Aerospace sets up UK base for global expansion

NorthStar had planned to launch the four satellites on Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne system before Virgin Orbit filed for Chapter 11 in April 2023 and was later liquidated.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralJan 31, 2024Electron launches NorthStar satellites in latest recovery test

The U.K. Space Agency released a lessons learned report on 2023-12-14 about the "UK Pathfinder Launch," the 2023-01-01 Virgin Orbit LauncherOne launch from Spaceport Cornwall.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralDec 16, 2023Report outlines lessons learned from first U.K. launch

iQPS signed a contract with Rocket Lab in August to launch QPS-SAR-5 after Virgin Orbit’s bankruptcy.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitOrg RelationshipDec 15, 2023Electron returns to flight with successful launch of Japanese radar imaging satellite

The QPS-SAR-5 satellite was originally scheduled to launch on Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne before Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy in April and was liquidated.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitTechnical ProductDec 15, 2023Electron returns to flight with successful launch of Japanese radar imaging satellite

An initial batch of satellites provided by Spire Global was due to launch with Virgin Orbit in summer 2023 before Virgin Orbit entered bankruptcy in April 2023.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitOrg RelationshipDec 6, 2023NorthStar raises $15 million for debris-tracking satellites waiting on Rocket Lab

Virgin Orbit developed an air-launch system using its Cosmic Girl carrier aircraft to deploy the LauncherOne rocket.

Mentioned as: Virgin OrbitNarrative GeneralNov 30, 2023China is working on a design for a reusable air-launched orbital rocket
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